From TM-EX Newsletter, Volume 4, Number 5, Fall, 1992
INDIA
A Visit to the Shankaracharya, Part IV
[Editor's Note: The following transcript is taken directly from the
taped conversations between Robert Kropinski, a former TM teacher
and follower of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Shree Shankaracharya Swaroopanand
Saraswati, a pre-eminent disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru
Dev), who is considered Mahesh Yogi's Spiritual Master.]
Q: My Lord, it is reported by some that with this type of meditation
many people have harmed themselves physically and mentally. I think
people give huge amounts of money to buy some sickness for themselves?
Shankaracharya: For correct meditation it is necessary to control
the emotions of the mind (Chitta). Mind should be free from `raga'
and `dweshara' or attachment, likes and aversion, dislikes. So long
as mind is not indifferent to outside objects, is not rid of its impurities,
free from desires, material objects, etc., wavering mind continues
to exist and mind does not stop thinking about them. This process
that Mahesh Yogi teaches, there is not place for such a spiritual
pursuit. Anyone who comes to him, whether he is a meat-eater, or an
alcoholic, he is initiated into dhyaan [TM]. In minds, where attachment
and aversion continue to be present, they try to concentrate on outside
objects. Because, the process of his yoga is that you sit quietly,
let the mind wander wherever it goes, you just repeat the mantra I
gave you.
For example, when mother-in-law and daughter-in-law quarrel with each
other and after that sit for transcendental meditation (Vabatita)
in transcendental meditation center, what will they meditate on? Mother-in-law
will meditate on daughter-in-law and vice versa. The reason is simple,
both of them are still full of hatred for each other. Without accomplishing
the kind of ability needed for meditation, if one meditates, it can
be fatal. This is true, however, making the people who are physically
very tired, sit peacefully and make them do some yoga posture like
shavvasan, etc. can provide temporary peace. But, such a process is
not at all helpful in destroying our sins. This (TM) is a worldly
Yoga. For people who are distressed by worldly objects, or by worldly
problems, they can temporarily forget the world. However, even this
much is not achieved if they sit without control over their minds.
One should be qualified for meditation or in other words show them
the necessary prerequisites to do meditation.
Who comes to practice this so-called `yoga' (TM), and comes with all
anxieties, worries and filled with all worldly thoughts.
Q: [The following paragraph was then read to Shankaracharya from a
TM brochure]: Furthermore, there is a specific set of mantras handed
down for centuries in the Shankaracharya tradition that seems to have
a special property of becoming increasingly pleasing as they are perceived
a finer stages. These particular sounds are mantras in Sanskrit. The
Shankaracharya tradition has preserved not only these sounds but also
a system of rules or formulas by which they are to be assigned to
individuals.
And this is what he (Mahesh) is saying in print. These are the mantras
he gives to people.
Shankaracharya: He (Mahesh) made them up. These are not given by Guruji
(Guru Dev). He (Mahesh) was an ordinary clerk.
People here in India are concerned. He (Mahesh) cheated millions of
rupees from people like him (Kropinski). Because of his cheating practices,
people might lose faith on Indian Spirituality. Swami Vivekanand and
Swami RamTirth left a good impression in America. We wanted that impression
to continue. It makes me sad that some people from here like Rajneesh
and Mahesh went there (to America) and they destroyed those good feelings.
Mahesh has caused a severe blow to Indian culture.
Q: [The following statement was then read to Shankaracharya from a
TM brochure. It was explained that this brochure was allegedly spoken
by Shankaracharya about Mahesh. Later, Bevan Morris, the President
of MIU, read the statement to TM participants by when attempting to
raise money from donations.]
He (Mahesh Yogi) comes from the tradition of Shree Shankaracharya.
He (Mahesh) is a disciple just like the Master (Guru Dev). He is the
bestower of light and is the incarnation of Shankaracharya, the (Mahesh)
is the Rishi of the Rishis (Divine Seers), greatest of the great,
greater than greatness, he is the reason of the welfare of the tradition
of Shankaracharya...
Shankaracharya: Only he can dispel darkness who does not want anything.
Only such a person can drive people out of darkness to light. But
he himself (Mahesh) is in darkness.
We want that people like you should tell others that he does not know
anything about yoga. Neither he is serving American people nor Indian
people.~
--TO BE CONTINUED--